Episode 25 - Instagram Reels and Niching Down with Laura Burden-Bitoiu

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE:

Today on the podcast, Danielle interviews an incredible guest Laura of B Squared Social! B Squared Social, a youtube social media marketing agency serving premium lifestyle brands and service-based professionals. B Squared Social offers coaching, courses, and done-for-you services. In this episode, Danielle and Laura dive into how she got started in her entrepreneurial journey, how she dramatically grew her business of the past year by niching down and focusing on creating Instagram Reels. They also discuss the power of collaborating with others in your industry (even if they may be competitors) as well as learning your strengths and really focusing on what you are best at!

Key Takeaways:

  • How has the last year grown you? How did you find your stride?

    • When she started she was doing everything, wearing every hat

    • It was hard to figure out her strategy because she was doing everything

    • Pivoted to focus on one thing: social media

    • This last year she figured out who she wants to work with

    • This helped to focus her business and gain traction

  • How do you see brands and businesses online? What are some tips you would give for people to gain success on social media? What mistakes are they making?

    • People think social media exists in a vacuum. But social media is really an extension of real life. If someone came up to you and said they really liked a post, you would respond to them. 

    • Defining mistake: People won’t respond when people comment or engage

    • Having manners and being polite goes a long way on social media

  • Perspective and tips for collaborations

    • There’s enough customers for everyone, so competition shouldn’t be a deterrent for collaboration

    • Get competition out of your head. You buy products from multiple different people and brands.

    • Connect with people because it usually leads to other connections, opportunities, and growth

  • Top tips for Reels:

    • You just have to do it!

    • Start with what you have, what you already know works for you

    • It doesn’t have to be complicated

    • Batch your content when you’re filming

    • Keep going. Instagram has recommended 4-7 reels a week, but it’s not impossible

    • Don’t keep scrolling through reels because it will bread comparison

    • If you do scroll reels, look at content from other fields and expertise to get inspiration, but do NOT look at people who are in the same field/niche as you

    • Post at least 2 reels a week

    • Keep to your content pillars

  • What is one of the biggest challenges in growing your own business?

    • Prioritization is an ongoing challenge

    • With growth comes more clients and things to tend too

  • How do you get over days when you don’t feel inspired?

    • Batch creation protects her when she has days when she’s not feeling creative

    • She doesn’t try to fight it. She listens to her body and brain that day and does what it needs

    • If she notices she’s feeling drained, she’ll take a step back and take a break:

      • go for a walk in a new neighbourhood

      • read a new book

    • Best creativity and inspiration comes from outside of work, getting out of your routine

  • How do you foster your ideas but also have structure?

    • She has notes on her phone where she adds to a list of ideas

    • Quarterly calendar with goals and collaborations

    • Planning content and what application it will be

  • What are you most proud of?

    • Her Reels course!

    • Showed her that she can try something new and dive into digital education

Show Notes:

Danielle Wiebe